Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailed Lionel Messi as an unstoppable force after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup round of 16. Speaking on Fox Sports, the Swedish legend said Messi transformed into an animal that no one could catch, driving Argentina to a quarterfinal berth.
Zlatan's Tribute to Messi
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former AC Milan and Sweden star, praised Messi's relentless desire to win despite having already achieved everything in football. He remarked, 'He became an animal, and nobody could catch him. He just went on, went on and... this is the one I saw, we are used to seeing, and we are still seeing.' Ibrahimovic emphasized Messi's emotional investment and hunger for the World Cup, stating, 'He already won this World Cup, a lot of trophies, a lot of Ballon d'Ors, FIFA Player of the Year. Everything. But he still wants it. That's impressive.'
Argentina's Comeback Victory
Argentina trailed 2-0 in the 67th minute after Egypt capitalized on a penalty miss by Messi in the first half. However, the team mounted a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in 13 minutes to seal a 3-2 win. Messi scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute, extending his record of scoring in nine successive World Cup matches—a feat no other player has achieved.
Messi's Historic Milestones
Messi's goal in the match was his eighth in the ongoing tournament, making it his most productive World Cup ever. He now holds the record for most goals in World Cup history with 21. According to OptaJoe, Messi became the first player to score in six consecutive knockout stage matches. He also equaled Guillermo Stabile's record (1930) for most goals in a single World Cup edition by an Argentine player, with eight goals.
All-Round Performance Despite Penalty Miss
Messi joined Diego Maradona as the second Argentine player to score, produce five-plus dribbles, and create five open-play chances in a World Cup match. His penalty miss made him the first player to miss two penalties in a single World Cup edition (excluding shootouts) and the player with the most missed penalties in World Cup history (four). Despite this, his overall performance was remarkable.
Quarterfinal Spot Secured
Argentina's victory books their place in the quarterfinals, keeping their title defense alive. Messi's leadership and Ibrahimovic's praise highlight the enduring impact of the World Cup-winning captain.
